Nonskid device for the wheels of vehicles

ABSTRACT

A nonskid device for the wheels of vehicles, has a holding element ( 1 ) situated in the region of the wheel axis and used with elastic holding arms ( 2 ) holding a chain mesh ( 4 ). A tension cable ( 7 ) is used to introduce tension forces into the holding arms ( 2 ). In order to introduce a defined tensile stress into the tension cable ( 7 ), the tension cable is connected to a pivotable tension lever ( 12 ).

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a nonskid device for vehicle wheels, with aholder, coming to rest in the region of the wheel axis in the mountedstate and rotatable with respect to the wheel, for at least threeholding arms, extending radially outward, for holding nonskid meansdistributed over the wheel circumference, and with a tension cord whichserves for the introduction of tension forces into the holding arms andconnects the holder to the wheel and which runs from the center of theholder via a first deflection to a second deflection located in the edgeregion of the holder.

PRIOR ART

A nonskid device of the above type is known from DE 4018415 C1. In theknown nonskid device, a tension cord is formed by a chain or ropeprovided at one end with a flat band portion and is detained in itstension position either by means of a detent pawl in the center of theholder or by latching members in the region of the second deflection orby a rope pulley capable of being clamped, using a clamping nut, andforming a kind of second deflection. It is known, moreover, specificallyfrom DE 41 27 448 A1, to use a rubber sling as a tension cord. All theabove-mentioned solutions are not entirely satisfactory either in termsof ease of operation or with regard to their functioning, and, inparticular, it proves a disadvantage that the tensions which take effectin the holding arms vary within undesirably wide limits as a function ofthe potential force exerted by the user of the nonskid device.

PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

The object on which the invention is based is to provide a nonskiddevice of the type under consideration, which can be mounted easily andwhich makes it possible to apply essentially constant tension forces.

The above object is achieved, according to the invention, in that, in ageneric nonskid device, the tension cord is led from the seconddeflection to at least one detaining member on a tension lever which ismounted pivotably on the holder at a distance from the second deflectionand by means of the pivoting movement of which a pull can be introducedinto the tension cord.

The device according to the invention affords the advantage that, afterthe presetting of the tension cord length to the respective wheel/tirecombination, said device can initially be fastened to the wheel easily,without the need for applying tension forces, and that an essentiallyidentical tension force dependent on the dimensions and position of thetension lever is generated, by the introduction of a pivoting movementinto said tension lever, only after the device has been fastened. Thepresetting in this case needs to be carried out once only, at least forthe winter season, as a function of the vehicle type and the tires.

Further features and details of the invention may be gathered from thesubclaims and the following description of an embodiment of theinvention which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows the perspective view of a nonskid device slipped onto thevehicle tire in a first mounting step;

FIG. 2 shows, on an enlarged scale, a detail of FIG. 1 during theapplication of a tension force;

FIG. 3 shows the nonskid device according to FIG. 1 in its end positionreached automatically after the starting of the vehicle;

FIG. 4 shows, on an enlarged scale, a top view of the holder of thenonskid device in the end position according to FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 shows, partially in section, the parts of the nonskid devicewhich are essential to the invention, in the first position of themounting operation, as illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5A shows a detail of FIG. 5 on an enlarged scale;

FIG. 6 shows the parts illustrated in FIG. 5 in a second position of themounting operation;

FIG. 7 shows the parts illustrated in FIG. 5 in a third position of themounting operation;

FIG. 7A shows a detail of FIG. 7;

FIG. 8 shows the parts illustrated in FIG. 3 after the conclusion of themounting operation;

FIG. 8A shows a detail of FIG. 8, and

FIG. 9 shows an illustration corresponding to FIG. 6, with a modifieddetaining member.

EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a nonskid device with a holder 1 for four resilientlydesigned holding arms 2 which extend radially outward from the holder 1and are formed by wire straps and which are connected at their ends toextension pieces 3, to which a running net 4 is fastened in a way knownfrom DE 1974894262. The connection is in this case designed in such away that limited relative movements in the radial direction are possiblebetween the holding arms 2 and the extension pieces 3. For fastening thenonskid device to a wheel bolt 5, there are a connection part 6 of thetype known from the reference publication and a tension cord 7 which isformed by a flexible belt which, however, is virtually inelastic in thelongitudinal direction. The use of a tension cord 7 which is inelasticin the longitudinal direction affords the advantage, as compared withlikewise known solutions with elastic tension cords, that the forces bywhich the running net 4 is held on the tread of a tire during the use ofa nonskid device depend solely on the degree of elastic deformation ofthe holding arms 2. Problems, such as have arisen due to aging phenomenain the use of an elastomeric tension cord, are thus avoided.

As is evident from FIG. 2, the tension cord 7 extends from a spinner 9,mounted rotatably at the free end of an extension arm 8 of theconnection part 6, to the center of the holder 1. The tension cordpasses first through a first deflection 10 which is formed by a pulley28 and from which it arrives at a second deflection 11, likewise formedby a pulley 29, at the edge region of the holder 1. The tension cord 7is led from the second deflection 11 into the region of the free end ofa tension lever 12, where it is deflected once again. On the inside ofthe tension lever 12 is arranged a fastening or retaining member 13which is formed by a mushroom-like projection and which fits in eachcase into a hole of a row of holes 14 which can be seen in FIGS. 3 and 4and which is provided in a portion of the tension cord 7 formed by thebelt, in order to allow the length of the tension cord 7 to be presetaccording to the respective conditions. As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 5 and6, the tension cord 7 is retained virtually free of pull, on theswung-up tension lever 12. The holding arms 2 in this case bear,likewise virtually nondeformed, against the flank 15 of the tire 16. Thedistance A, depicted in FIG. 5, between the holder and rim 17 of thewheel has in this case a value which depends on the initial form of theholding arms 2. To apply the forces necessary for the satisfactoryremaining automatic mounting, when the vehicle equipped with the nonskiddevice is started, the tension lever 12 is transferred out of theinitial position illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 5 into the end positionaccording to FIGS. 3 and 8. FIGS. 2 and 7 show as intermediate position.In the end position, the holder 1 is at a distance a from the rim 17(cf. FIG. 8) which is smaller than the distance A. Owing to thedifference between the distances A and a, when the nonskid device is inthe operating state, the holding arms 2 are pressed against the flank 15of the tire 16 with a force which, on the one hand, is sufficient tobring about the remaining automatic mounting and, on the other hand,ensures a satisfactory fit of the running net 4 on the tread of the tire16. The risk, existing in the case of known nonskid devices, of theforces with which the holding arms 2 are pressed against the tire flanks15 assume values detrimental to the creep of the running net on thetire, said creep being conducive to the selfcleaning of the pinning net4, is thus eliminated.

While a latching nose 18 and a latching recess 19 serve for securing thetension lever 12 in its initial position illustrated in FIGS. 1, 5 and6, the securing of the tension lever 12 in the end position of thelatter takes place with the aid of a securing element 20 which is formedby a pivoting tab and which is provided with a projection 22 engagingbehind a stop edge 21 of the holder. As can be seen from FIGS. 5A, 7Aand 8A, the securing element 20 forms, in the region of its pivot axis23, a clamping boss 24, by means of which the tension cord 7 isadditionally secured against slipping out of place.

To avoid parts projecting beyond the holder 1, the holder 1 is providedwith a clearance 25 which receives the tension lever 12 when the nonskiddevice is in the operating position, while the tension lever 12 has onits outside a guide groove 26 for the tension cord 7.

While, in the instances illustrated in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, themushroom-like projection 13 capable of being pressed into holes of therows of holes 14 serves for detaining the tension cord 7 in its initialposition, in the instance illustrated in FIG. 9, the fastening ordetention of the tension cord 7 is carried out by means of a steelclamping clip 27 known per se.

1. A nonskid device for vehicle wheels, with a holder, coming to rest inthe region of the wheel axis in a mounted state and rotatable withrespect to the wheel, at least three holding arms attached to theholder, said arms extending radially outward, for holding nonskid meansdistributed over the wheel circumference, and with a tension cord whichserves for the introduction of tension forces into the holding arms andconnects the holder to the wheel and which runs from the center of theholder where it passes a first deflection to a second deflection locatedin an edge region of the holder, characterized in that the tension cord(7) runs from the second deflection (11) to at least one retainingmember (13) at a tension lever (12) which is mounted pivotably on theholder (1) at a distance from the second deflection (11) and by means ofa pivoting movement of said tension lever into a tension position a pullcan be introduced into the tension cord (7).
 2. The device as claimed inclaim 1, characterized in that the deflections (10, 11) are formed bypulleys.
 3. The device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that thetension lever (12) is provided with a securing element (20) retaining itin the tension position.
 4. The device as claimed in claim 3,characterized in that the securing element (20) is formed by a pivotingtab which is arranged at a free end of the tension lever (12) and whichis provided with a projection (22) engaging behind a stop edge (21) ofthe holder (1) in the tension position.
 5. The device as claimed inclaim 3, characterized in that the securing element (20) is equippedwith a clamping boss (24) for detaining the tension cord (7) in thetension position.
 6. The device as claimed in claim 4, characterized inthat the stop edge (21) is formed by a cant, facing the vehicle wheel,of the outer edge of the holder (1).
 7. The device as claimed in claim1, characterized in that the pivoting travel of the tension lever (12)is limited by stops.
 8. The device as claimed in claim 1, characterizedin that the holder (1) has an inside and an outside and is provided onits outside with a clearance (25) which receives the tension lever (12)in the tension position.
 9. The device as claimed in claim 1,characterized in that the tension lever (12) has an inside and anoutside, and that the retaining member (13) is arranged on the inside,facing the holder (1) in the tension position, of the tension lever(12).
 10. The device as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that thetension cord (7) passes the outside of the tension lever (12) to theretaining member (13) on the inside of the tension lever (12).
 11. Thedevice as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the tension cord (7)is flexible, but is virtually inelastic in the longitudinal direction.12. The device as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that the tensioncord (7) is formed by a belt.
 13. The device as claimed in claim 1,characterized in that the tension lever (12) is provided with a guidegroove for a portion of the tension cord (7), said portion coming torest on the outside of said tension lever in the tension position. 14.The device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the retainingmember (13) is formed by a mushroom-like projection of the tension lever(12).
 15. The device as claimed in claim 14, characterized in that thetension cord (7) is provided with a row (14) of holes for receiving theretaining member (13), said row allowing a presetting of the length ofthat portion of the tension cord (7) which connects the holder (1) tothe vehicle wheel.
 16. The device as claimed in claim 1, characterizedin that the retaining member is formed by a steel clamping clip (27).17. The device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the outersurface of the tension lever (12) transferred into the tension positionis in alignment with the outer surface of the holder (1).
 18. The deviceas claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the tension cord (7) isconnected to the vehicle wheel by means of a connection part (6) whichis provided with means for its releasable fastening to a wheel bolt (5)or wheel nut and which has an extension arm (8) which ends in the regionof the wheel axis and on a free end of which the tension cord (7)engages.
 19. The device as claimed in claim 18, characterized in thatthe tension cord (7) is connected to a connection lug of a spinner (9)arranged at the free end of the extension arm (8).
 20. A method formounting a nonskid device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in thatthe tension cord (7), in a stretched state is retained, virtually freeof pull, in a swung-up position of said tension lever (12) andsubsequently, by the tension lever (12) being folded into the tensionposition, is acted upon, along with the elastic deformation of theholding arms (2) by a pull which pulls the holder (1) against thevehicle wheel.